Greg Matlosz named Educator of Distinction
West Milford Greg Matlosz loves to teach. His specialty is history, especially US history. He says it’s a passion. “I especially love US history from the late 1800s up to today,” he said. “U.S. history is a passion.” And he likes to engage his students. “I always throw in an element of debate in my classes,” said Matlosz, a teacher at West Milford High School. “To argue and connect issues from today to the past, it really engages the students.” Like most teachers, Matlosz’s goal is to indeed engage his students, to bring out their passion and get them involved. Seems like he has succeeded. Last month Matlosz went to his mailbox at school and saw this huge envelope. “I thought it was an advertisement,” he said. Instead it was a huge certificate telling him he was chosen as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction, nominated by one of his Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics students, Adam Rinaldi. “I was pretty surprised,” said Matlosz. “I was thrilled.” Rinaldi, who recently graduated from West Milford High School, is a member of The National Society of High School Scholars, an international group which recognizes academic excellence at the high school level. Each year, members have the opportunity to nominate the educator who has made the most significant contribution to their academic career. This award recognizes teacher role models who have made a lasting difference in their classroom by encouraging students to strive for excellence. Rinaldi was in Matlosz’s fourth period AP US Government class, participated in the mock election debates in the fall, and is a tennis player. Matlosz started his teaching career in West Milford as a long-term sub in 2003, substituting for a teacher out on maternity leave. He stayed on permanently beginning in 2004, and received his master’s degree in public administration, hoping to someday lead his own department. He started teaching advanced placement classes in government and history, something he enjoys greatly. He probably had a good feeling after his interview with Dr. John Pine, who headed the history department at the high school at the time. “My interview was scheduled for 5 in the afternoon,” said Matlosz. “It didn’t end until 8 p.m. It was just two guys talking about history for three hours! It became like a coffee conversation.” Needless to say, he got the job. Matlosz started the Model United Nations team at West Milford High School in 2004. Model UN is an academic simulation of the United Nations, teaching students diplomacy skills. He started with 12 students participating. This past year, he had 42. “Next year we’ll probably get 60,” he said. “It’s grown tremendously.” But, he said, it’s difficult to debate with so many kids. He wants to keep the numbers in the 30 range for next year’s team, having to make cuts for the first time. That’s something to deal with in the fall. Right now, Matlosz is teaching summer school, looking forward to a new school year, and proud of the fact that he had such a positive impact on his students. “That’s what teaching is all about.”